Show plays in Norfolk March 5-16

Bob Gaudio studied classical music and played jazz as a kid. But when it came time to write his own music, something very different came out.

At age 15, as a member of the Royal Teens, Gaudio wrote "Who Wears Short Shorts," a pop tune that shot up the charts and started him on a career as one of the great songwriters of the 1950s -60s.

Later, his talents brought success to the Four Seasons, which Gaudio founded with Frankie Valli, Tommy DeVito and Nick Massi. Their dramatic story is told in the musical, "Jersey Boys," playing March 5-16 in Norfolk's Chrysler Hall.

Getting a record contract in the 1950s was like appearing in a B movie, Gaudio recalls.

"I remember we were backing up a singing group and their manager said, 'you guys should come see us,' and we went into New York and made a demo," says Gaudio. "ABC Paramount picked up the master and we were offered a tour. I convinced the principal and my parents to drop out of high school and let me do it."

Eventually Gaudio left the Royal Teens in order to expand his songwriting and co-founded the Four Seasons. Their first recording in 1962 contained early hits such as "Sherry" and "Big Girls Don't Cry." Other hits followed including "Walk Like a Man," "Silence is Golden" and "Can't Take my Eyes Off You," many that Gaudio co-authored with Bob Crewe.

The 1960s saw a lot of changes in the group as Massi abruptly left and the group sound was eclipsed by other styles of pop music. Gaudio left the group in the early 1970s to concentrate on songwriting and producing.

"It was completely from an emotional level," he recalls about his leaving. "I could see Frankie Valli was thinking I was leaving him flat. It was pretty shocking. Time ran out for me. I'm a bit reclusive. I never felt particularly comfortable on the stage and I couldn't find time to write."

Gaudio went on to carve out an enviable career as a producer and songwriter, working with pop greats such as Diana Ross, Michael Jackson and Barry Manilow, He produced six albums for Neil Diamond which led to him producing the mega-hit "You Don't Bring Me Flowers" for Diamond and Barbra Streisand.

He was also behind the idea to mount "Jersey Boys," which opened in 2005 and won four Tony Awards, including Best Musical.

Today, the industry hasn't changed that much, says Gaudio.

"Instead of managers in sharkskin suits there are businessmen and attorneys," he says. "If you have success, you can really capitalize in it with perfumes and other deals. But getting to first base...I can't say that's a whole lot different."